Beer pong cup holder

ABSTRACT

The embodiments disclosed herein provide an apparatus that serves as a cup holder for the game of beer pong, also called Beirut. The beverage cup holder includes a frame for containing beverage cups. The frame includes one or more segments having an inner wall and outer wall. The inner walls of the one or more segments collectively define an inner region of the beer pong cup holder. An illumination device disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall of the one or more segments is arranged to shine light at least toward the inner region of the beer pong cup holder.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/285,493, filed May 22, 2014, entitled “Beer Pong Cup Holder,” whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to beer pong cup holders for playing thegame of beer pong (also called Beirut).

BACKGROUND

Beer pong (also called Beirut) is a drinking game in which players throwa ball (e.g., a ping pong ball) across a table with the intent oflanding the ball in an opponent's cup on the other end of the table.Although rules vary according to local customs, a typical game willinvolve two teams, each having one or more players (often two playersper team), and each having a number of cups (e.g., 10 cups) arranged ina particular pattern (e.g., a triangle) and filled at least partiallywith a beverage (often beer, but non-alcoholic beverages can also beused). The teams take turns attempting to throw the ball into theopposing team's cups (an attempt is sometimes called a “shot”). When ashot lands in an opposing team's cup, the shot is said to be a “make”and the opposing team is required to consume the contents of thebeverage cup and remove the beverage cup from play. For sanitationreasons, in some circumstances, a different cup (e.g., a clean cup,other than the beverage cup in which the ball landed) is used for theconsumption. The object of the game is to remove, in the mannerdescribed above, all of the opposing team's cups from play.

Many variations of Beirut exist. For example, in accordance with somerules, a team's cups are “re-racked” at certain times. For example, whena team has four remaining cups out of an original 10, some rules dictatethat the four remaining cups should be rearranged to form a diamond.Other rule variations may admit to differences from the general outlineof the game description given above.

As described in greater detail below, beer pong is often played in dimlylit environments (e.g., parties). It can be difficult to see thebeverage cups, and hence difficult for players to aim their shots.

SUMMARY

Disclosed are beer pong cup holders that overcome the above mentioneddifficulties experienced when playing beer pong. In particular, the beerpong cup holders described herein illuminate, at least partially,beverage cups used in the game of beer pong, and thus make it easier forplayers to aim their shots. In addition, the beer pong cup holdersdescribed herein are inexpensive, durable, portable, and provideenhanced visual effects (e.g., through the use of ultraviolet (UV)illumination, which can cause game objects such as balls and cups to“glow”).

In particular, to address the aforementioned problems with conventionalequipment used for beer pong (e.g., a dining room table), the disclosedembodiments provide a beer pong cup holder that includes a frame forcontaining beverage cups. In some embodiments, the beer pong cup holderis free-standing, while in other embodiments, the beer pong cup holderis incorporated into a playing surface of a beer pong table. In anyevent, the frame includes one or more segments. The one or moresegments, continuously or discontinuously, collectively define an innerregion of the beer pong cup holder. The beer pong cup holder alsoincludes an illumination device disposed on or within the one or moresegments that is arranged to shine light at least toward the innerregion of the beer pong cup holder.

In some embodiments, the one or more segments include an inner wall andan outer wall. The respective inner walls of the one or more segmentsdefine the inner region of the beer pong cup holder and the illuminationdevice is disposed between said inner wall and said outer wall of theone or more segments.

In some embodiments, the illumination device also includes an assemblyarranged between said inner surface and said outer surface. The assemblyincludes a light source and circuitry for providing power to said lightsource. In some embodiments, the light source and the circuitry forproviding power to said light source are mounted with the assembly suchthat, when the beer pong cup holder is placed on a table for use, thelight source and the circuitry for providing power to said light sourceare elevated from the surface of the table. In some embodiments, thelight source is one of a cold cathode or a light emitting diode (LED)strip. In some embodiments, the light source is an ultraviolet lightsource and the light is ultraviolet light.

In some embodiments, the inner wall and the outer wall are made from amaterial that is substantially transparent to the light.

In some embodiments, the inner region is substantially triangular. Insome embodiments, the one or more segments comprise a plurality ofstraight segments. In some embodiments, the inner wall and the outerwall are coupled by a top wall. In some embodiments, the inner wall,outer wall, and top wall are continuous in cross-section and formed fromextrusion of a material from which they are made.

In some embodiments, the beer pong cup holder is arranged to contain aplurality of beverage cups within the inner region, each of the beveragecups having a top rim. The illumination device is arranged to shine thelight toward the top rim of each of the plurality of beverage cups.

In some embodiments, the beer pong cup holder also includes a pluralityof second light sources arranged within the inner region. The pluralityof second light sources is located between said beverage cups when thebeverage cups are of a predefined size and arranged at a maximumcapacity of beverage cups within the inner region of the beer pong cupholder. In some embodiments, the plurality of second light sourcesshines light substantially upward toward the rim of said beverage cups.

To address the aforementioned problems with conventional equipment usedfor beer pong, the disclosed embodiments provide another beer pong cupholder that includes a panel having a top surface. The top surface has aplurality of visual indicia, each indicating a respective location onwhich to position a beverage cup of a predefined size. Each of thebeverage cups has a rim. The beer pong cup holder also includes aplurality of light sources coupled with the panel and arranged suchthat, when said beverage cups are arranged on the surface in accordancewith the visual indicia, the light sources of the plurality of lightsources are positioned between the beverage cups and shine light upwardtoward the rims of the beverage cups.

In some embodiments, the visual indicia are embodied as relief in thesurface of the panel. In some embodiments, the visual indicia areembodied as visual markings on the surface of the panel.

In some embodiments, the plurality of light sources includes a lightsource position halfway between geometric centers of each pair ofrespective locations on which to position a beverage cup of predefinedsize.

In some embodiments, the plurality of visual indicia includes visualindicia corresponding to 10 beverage cup locations. In some embodiments,the 10 beverage cup locations are arranged in a triangular manner. Insome embodiments, the 10 beverage cup locations are arranged in a firstrow of four cups, a second row of three cups, a third row of two cups,and a fourth row of one cup.

In some embodiments, the panel is a playing surface of a beer pongtable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional (3D) isometric view of a beer pong cupholder for containing and illuminating beverage cups, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional (3D) isometric view of a beer pong cupholder for containing and illuminating beverage cups, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional (3D) isometric view of a beer pong cupholder for containing and illuminating beverage cups, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 4A is a plan view of a beer pong cup holder for containing andilluminating beverage cups, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4B is a partial side view of the beer pong cup holder illustratedin FIG. 4A, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a beer pong cup holder for containing andilluminating beverage cups, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a beer pong cup holder for containing andilluminating beverage cups, in accordance with some embodiments.

Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout thedrawings.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Beirut is a popular drinking game at parties, which are often held in adimly lit atmosphere. Because players need to be able to see theirtargets in order to effectively aim, it is helpful to illuminate atleast the tops (e.g., rims) of the beverage cups, if not the entiretable. The embodiments described herein address the problem of beveragecup illumination in a manner that is cost effective, durable,convenient, affordable, and compatible with “enhanced visual effects”(e.g., fluorescent visual effects) that are popular at parties and othersituations in which Beirut is played. To that end, a number ofapproaches can be employed to illuminate at least the tops of thebeverage cups used for Beirut. One approach is overhead illumination,for example, with an ultraviolet (UV) lamp (a so-called “black light”)that provides a “glowing” effect to the table and cups. But thisapproach requires time and effort to install, is not easily portable,and can be exceedingly costly. Another approach, in accordance with someembodiments, is to provide illumination from underneath the beveragecups. The problem with this approach is that when beer is illuminated,particularly in a dark environment and even more particularly byultraviolet (UV) light, the resulting color is unattractive andunsightly.

The embodiments described herein provide a beer pong cup holder (e.g., arack) that avoids the problems associated with conventional equipmentused for beer pong. To this end, some embodiments of the beer pong cupholder include a frame made up of one or more segments. The segmentscollectively define an inner region (e.g., the inner region takes on atriangular shape seen often in billiard racks that provide anarrangement of billiard balls similar to the arrangement of cups usedfor beer pong). In some embodiments, an illumination device is disposedon or within the one or more segments, as described in greater detailbelow. The illumination device shines light (e.g., UV light) toward theinner region where, in use, cups are placed. Specifically, in someembodiments, the illumination device shines light directionally towardthe location of the tops of the beverage cups. The light is shoneprimarily on the tops of the beverage cups so as to illuminate the topsof the beverage cups without excessively illuminating the beverage andcausing the unsightly appearance noted above. While, in someembodiments, the beer pong cup holder is built into (e.g., mechanicallyincorporated into) a beer pong table, in other embodiments, the beerpong cup holder is a free-standing, light weight beer pong cup holder(analogous to a billiard rack) and is thus portable, inexpensive, andhassle-free (e.g., does not require extensive setup, as might anoverhead illumination setup).

As used herein, the terms “holder,” “frame,” and “rack” all refer to aframework on or in which articles (e.g., beverage cups) are placed. Insome embodiments, the beer pong cup holder provides structural supportto engage and/or grasps cups used in a game of beer pong (e.g.,depressions into which the beverage cups are placed, which provide asnug or secure fit for the beverage cups). In some embodiments, the beerpong cup holder includes visual indicia indicating proper placement ofthe beverage cups (e.g., first visual indicia indicating an initialplacement and second visual indicia indicating a “re-rack” placement, asdescribed with reference to the background section above).

Reference will now be made in detail to various implementations,examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In thefollowing detailed description, numerous specific details are set forthin order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosureand the described implementations herein. However, implementationsdescribed herein may be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, andmechanical apparatus have not been described in detail so as not tounnecessarily obscure aspects of the implementations.

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional (3D) isometric view of a beer pong cupholder 100 for containing and illuminating beverage cups, in accordancewith some embodiments. Beer pong cup holder 100 includes a frame 112 forcontaining beverage cups 106. Beverage cups 106-a, 106-b, and 106-c areexamples of standard beverage cups (e.g., beverage cups having apredefined size). The remaining beverage cups shown in FIG. 1 are notlabeled with a reference number so as not to crowd the drawing. Frame112 includes several segments, including a plurality of straightsegments 102 (e.g., segment 102-a, 102-b, and 102-c) and a curvedsegment 114 (for clarity, only one of the curved segments shown in thedrawing is labeled with a reference number). The several segmentscollectively define an inner region of beer pong cup holder 100, intowhich beverage cups are placed (e.g., beer pong cup holder 100 isarranged to contain a plurality of beverage cups within the innerregion). More specifically, FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment in whichthe inner region is triangular and configured to contain (e.g., hold) 10cups of a standard (e.g., predefined) size in a predefined arrangement.For example, starting from any of the straight sections 102, thearrangement as shown includes a row of four cups, a row of three cups,and a row of two cups and a “row” of one cup. This beverage cuparrangement is popular in beer pong and accords with a wide variety ofbeer pong rules.

In some embodiments, the segments discontinuously define the innerregion, meaning that the segments do not entirely encompass the innerregion (i.e., there are one or more gaps between respective segments).For example, in some embodiments, the segments are fastened to a beerpong table in the shape of a triangle with gaps between the varioussegments. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the segments are connectedby a non-rigid electrical wire, such that the non-rigid electrical wireresults in gaps between the segments. In some embodiments, the one ormore segments comprise a single circular segment that is continuous(i.e., has no gaps).

The standard beverage cups 106 shown in FIG. 1 are tapered, meaning thatthey are characterized by a minor (e.g., smaller) radius at the bottomof each cup and a major (e.g., larger) radius at the top of each cup. Inthe arrangement shown, each row is inwardly offset from the adjacentlarger row by a distance substantially equal to the major radius of theexample standard beverage cups. To this end, in some embodiments, beerpong cup holder 100 is triangular and includes three straight segments102 and three curved segments 114: the straight segments 102 have alength substantially equal to six-times the major radius (e.g., plus anoptional tolerance) and the curved segments 114 have an inner radius ofcurvature of the beverage cup's minor radius (e.g., plus an optionaltolerance) and central angle of sixty degrees. These dimensions providea substantially snug fit for the popular beverage cup arrangementdescribed above, in a manner somewhat analogous to the substantiallysnug fit that triangular billiard racks provide for billiards balls.

As an example, in some embodiments, beer pong cup holder 100 isconfigured (e.g., the dimensions are sized) so as to contain thedescribed arrangement of beverage cups when the beverage cups are16-ounce “red cups” produced by the Solo Cup Company, or a similar“generic” beverage cup. Although such beverage cups are described as“red cups” for the sake of explanation, the beverage cups are nottypically part of beer pong cup holder 100 and can therefore be anycolor, or can be clear (e.g., transparent), or can be largelytransparent and coated with a fluorescent material (e.g., so as to“glow”) and/or a phosphorescent material (e.g., so as to“glow-in-the-dark”).

As shown in inset 116, beer pong cup holder 100 also includes anillumination device 122 disposed within the segments 102. Illuminationdevice 122 is arranged to shine light 118 at least toward the innerregion defined by the one or more segments. More specifically, in someembodiments, each beverage cup has a top rim and illumination device 122is arranged to shine the light toward the top rim of each of theplurality of beverage cups. This arrangement, in which the light isprimarily shone from the sides or edges of the beer pong cup holder 100inwardly toward the beverage cups, is referred to as “side of cupillumination.”

In some embodiments, illumination device 122 is arranged to shine lightpersistently and/or continuously toward the inner region defined by theone or more segments. The terms “persistently” and/or “continuously” areused herein to indicate that light is shone toward the inner regionwhile beer pong cup holder 100 is in use. In some circumstances, beerpong cup holder 100 is considered “in use” when a player is aiming atbeer pong cup holder 100 and/or when the player is shooting at beer pongcup holder 100. To that end, in some embodiments, illumination device122 is arranged to shine light persistently and/or continuously towardthe inner region for a predefined amount of time (e.g., 10 seconds, 30seconds, 1 minute, 10 minutes or 1 hour). In some embodiment,illumination device 122 is arranged to shine light persistently and/orcontinuously toward the inner region until illumination device 122 isturned off (e.g., by a switch).

In some circumstances, the top rims of the beverage cups may be coatedwith or otherwise incorporated with a fluorescent material that “glows”when ultraviolet light is shone on it, thus providing an enhanced visualeffect that allows players to more clearly see their target (e.g., thetop rims of the beverage cups). In some embodiments, the one or moresegments include an inner wall 108 and an outer wall 110. The respectiveinner walls 108 of the one or more segments define the inner region ofbeer pong cup holder 100 and illumination device 122 is disposed betweeninner wall 108 and outer wall 110. In some embodiments, illuminationdevice 122 includes an assembly 120 arranged between inner surface 108and outer surface 110, one or more light sources 104, and circuitry (notshown) for providing power to light sources 104. For example, as shownin FIG. 1, illumination device 122 includes a light strip (e.g., a tape)of light emitting diodes light sources (LEDs) 104 (e.g., LEDs 104-a,104-b, and 104-c, as well as LED 104-d which is shown in inset 116). Insome embodiments, illumination device 122 encases the light sources 104in a liquid-protective seal (for example, LEDs 104 are encased in IP65wet-location-rated silicone). Such a liquid-protective seal isadvantageous because it protects the light sources from spilled beer andother beverages. In addition, in some embodiments, light sources 104 andthe circuitry for providing power to light sources 104 are mounted withassembly 120 such that, when beer pong cup holder 100 is placed on atable for use, light sources 104 and the circuitry for providing powerto the light source are elevated from the table (e.g., by 5 millimeters(mm), 1 centimeter (cm), 2 centimeters (cm), or any other distancesufficient to keep light source 104 and the circuitry substantiallyabove spilled liquid). This provides additionally advantageousprotection for spilled or splashed liquids that tend to puddle on thetable.

In some embodiments, LEDs 104 are ultraviolet LEDs, meaning that LEDs104 produce light 118 having a wavelength in the ultraviolet range of100-450 nanometers (nm). Alternatively, LEDs 104 comprise LEDs of anycolor (e.g., red, green, yellow, blue). In some embodiments, the LEDs104 comprise multi-color LEDs. In some embodiments, a user (e.g., a playof the game) can select a color to display using an affordance (such asa button) coupled to a processors that controls the display of LEDs 104(thus, in some embodiments, beer pong cup holder 100 includes aprocessor, sometimes called a “microprocessor”). In some embodiments,LEDs 104 transition through a predefined sequence of colors and/orillumination states (or a respective user selected predefined sequenceof a plurality of pre. For example, LEDs 104 may illuminate in atemporally shifting circular pattern to give the impression of “a wave.”

In some embodiments, LEDs 104 are SMD LED modules (where SMD stands forsurface mounted diode, meaning that such diodes are manufactured usingsurface mount technology). A variety of SMD LED sizes can be used forLEDs 104 in accordance with a variety of implementations. For example,in various embodiments, LEDs 104 are: 5050 SMD LEDs (5.0 mm×5.0 mmLEDs); 3528 SMD LEDs (3.5 mm×2.8 mm LEDs); 3020 SMD LEDs (3.0 mm×2.0 mmLEDs); 5630 SMD LEDs (5.6 mm×3.0 mm LEDs); or 2835 SMD LEDs (2.8 mm×3.5mm LEDs). In some embodiments, the LEDs 104 are configured to operate ata predefined working voltage (e.g., 12V). This relatively low-voltage,which can be provided by common batteries (e.g., AA batteries) inseries, provides an additional level of safety-of-use.

Although beer pong cup holder 100 is shown as a free-standing beer pongcup holder, in other embodiments, beer pong cup holder 100 ismechanically coupled to or incorporated into a beer pong table. Inaddition, beer pong cup holder 100 optionally includes any of thefeatures of the beer pong cup holders described with references to anyof the other figures, although such features may not be shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional (3D) isometric view of a beer pong cupholder 200 for containing and illuminating beverage cups, in accordancewith some embodiments. Beer pong cup holder 200 is analogous to beerpong cup holder 100 described with reference to FIG. 1, except that beerpong cup holder 200 includes a cold-cathode-based gas-discharge lamplight source 204 (e.g., a light source that produces light based on coldcathode discharge of mercury gas). In some embodiments, thecold-cathode-based gas-discharge lamp is an ultraviolet (UV) lightsource, as described above. In some embodiments, the UV light source isa mercury gas-discharge lamp with characteristic emission lines in theultraviolet wavelength range that are used to provide the ultravioletlight.

In addition, inset 216 in FIG. 2 illustrates that, in some embodiments,inner wall 108 and outer wall 110 are coupled by a top wall 224. Also,in some embodiments, inner wall 108, outer wall 110, and top wall 224are continuous in cross-section and formed from extrusion of a material(e.g., clear rigid polyvinylchloride (PVC)) from which they (i.e., thewalls) are made.

In embodiments that make use of ultraviolet light, the ultraviolet lightcan charge a printed ink or paint infused with glow powder (translucent,transparent, or opaque) thereby causing the glow powder to emit visiblelight, charge a plastic or rubber (like PU) infused with glow powderthereby causing the glow powder to emit visible light, or illuminate afluorescent color ink, paint, plastic, rubber, etc., thereby causing thefluorescent color ink, paint, plastic, or rubber to emit a visiblelight. For example, as shown in inset 218, in some embodiments, arespective wall (e.g., in this case inner wall 108) is printed,embedded, or otherwise impregnated with a fluorescent or phosphorescentmaterial in any of these manners with a graphical design 220 (e.g., thewords “Glow Pong”), such that the graphical design 220 emits visiblelight and thereby “glows.” In some embodiments, the graphical design 220is “aimed” toward the location where the beverage cups are placed whenin use, so that the visible light emitted by the graphical design isshone (e.g., projected) onto the beverage cups placed therein.

Regarding fluorescence, this type of luminescence occurs when some formof radiation, such as ultraviolet light, causes an object to glow. Forexample, fluorescent papers and poster boards glow in the daylight. Theymay seem to glow even brighter under black light (ultraviolet), but ineither case, as soon as the light is removed, the glow stops.Fluorescent objects do not glow in the dark all by themselves; theyrequire some other form of energy such as ultraviolet light to “excite”them. One manufacturer of suitable fluorescent pigments that can be usedin the disclosed embodiments is Glow, Inc. Severn, Md.

In some embodiments a phosphorescent compound is used. Phosphorescenceis just like fluorescence, except that the glow continues even after thelight used to excite it is removed. “Glow-in-the-dark” toys phosphorescebrightly in total darkness after being “charged” or excited by ordinarywhite or ultraviolet light. Glow powder works by absorbing surroundinglight energy and then releases that energy when the lights go out. Glowpowder is typically made with zinc sulfide or other materials likestrontium aluminate pigments. In some embodiments, light source 204 isused to charge a phosphorescent compound that is part of beer pong cupholder 200 (e.g., graphical design 220) or a phosphorescent materialthat is not part of beer pong cup holder 200. For example, in someembodiments, the beverage cups are at least partially printed with aphosphorescent material (e.g., a graphical design is printed on thebeverage cups with a phosphorescent material, or the top rims of thebeverage cups are printed with a phosphorescent material).Alternatively, or in addition, in some embodiments, the ball used in thebeer pong game is printed with a phosphorescent material (e.g., in somecircumstances, a set of beverage cups and balls having such propertiesis marketed with beer pong cup holder 200). In these embodiments, lightsource 204 charges the phosphorescent portions of the ball and/orbeverage cups. This is advantageous in the case of beverage cupsbecause, for example, the top rims of the beverage cups will glow moreuniformly in these embodiments, and, in the case of the ball, the ballwill glow when being thrown or shot by a player.

In some embodiments, graphical design 220 is a cyan-magenta-yellow-key(CMYK) graphic. In some embodiments, graphical design 220 is transferredonto the inner wall 108 using hydrographics, also known as watertransfer imaging. In one such process, the inner wall 108 is pre-treatedand a base coat material is applied. A polyvinyl alcohol film isgravure-printed with an image of graphical design 220 to be transferred,and is then floated on the surface of a vat of water. An activatorchemical is sprayed on the film to dissolve it into a liquid andactivate a bonding agent. Inner wall 108 is then lowered (e.g., togetherwith the outer wall 110 and top wall 224) into the vat, through thefloating ink layer, which wraps around and adheres to it. After removinginner wall 108 from the water, a top coat is applied to protect thedesign. A kit for performing such a transfer is disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 8,360,239, which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

In some embodiments, although not shown, beer pong cup holder 200further includes a plurality of second light sources arranged within theinner region. The light sources of the plurality of second light sourcesare located between the beverage cups when the beverage cups are ofpredefined (e.g., standard) size and arranged at maximum capacity. FIGS.3-6 describe the second light sources in greater detail. In someembodiments, beer pong cup holder 200 further includes a plurality ofthird light sources, which are analogous to the second light sourcesexcept that the light sources of the plurality of third light sourcesare located between the beverage cups when the beverage cups are ofpredefined (e.g., standard) size and arranged at a predefined capacitythat is less than the maximum capacity. For example, as described above,some beer pong rules dictate a “re-rack,” in which the beverage cups arerearranged midway through a game (e.g., in accordance with some rules,when there are six of 10 beverage cups remaining, the beverage cups arerearranged into a smaller triangle as compared to the original 10 cuparrangement). In this case, beer pong cup holder 200 optionally includesa plurality of third light sources positioned between the beverage cupswhen the beverage cups are in the six beverage cup triangle. In someembodiments, the third light sources are the same type of light sourceas the second light sources (e.g., ultraviolet thru-hole LEDs).

Although beer pong cup holder 200 is shown as a free-standing beer pongcup holder, in other embodiments, beer pong cup holder 200 ismechanically coupled to or incorporated into a beer pong table. Inaddition, beer pong cup holder 200 optionally includes any of thefeatures of the beer pong cup holders described with references to anyof the other figures, although such features may not be shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional (3D) isometric view of a beer pong cupholder 300 for containing and illuminating beverage cups, in accordancewith some embodiments. Beer pong cup holder 300 includes a panel 302that has a top surface 304. Top surface 304 includes a plurality ofvisual indicia 306. For the sake of visual clarity, only selected visualindicia 306 are labeled with a reference number (e.g., visual indicia306-a, 306-b, and 306-c). Each visual indicium 306 indicates arespective location on which to position a beverage cup of a predefinedsize.

Typically, each of the beverage cups has a rim 310 (e.g., a top rim).Further, beer pong cup holder 300 also includes a plurality of lightsources 312. For the sake of visual clarity, only selected light sources312 are labeled with a reference number (e.g., light sources 312-a,312-b, and 312-c). Also, in some embodiments, the second light sourcesdescribed with reference to FIG. 2 are embodied as light sources 312. Insome embodiments, the light sources of light sources 312 are ultravioletthru-hole LEDs. But in some embodiments, the light sources of lightsources 312 are thru-hole LEDs that operate at a different wavelengththat is not in the ultraviolet range.

Further, in some embodiments, visual indicia 306 are embodied as reliefin top surface 304 of panel 302. In some embodiments, the relief in topsurface 304 of panel 302 also serves as a mechanical holder for thebeverage cups, in that it provides a snug or secure fit for the beveragecups. Alternatively, or in addition, in some embodiments, visual indicia306 are embodied as visual markings (e.g., objects such as circles,crosses, logos, icons, or “bulls-eye” targets). In some embodiments (notshown), the panel is a beer pong table (e.g., beer pong cup holder 300is incorporated into the surface of a beer pong table).

Light sources 312 can be arranged in any number of ways. Typically, toavoid the problem of unsightly illumination of beer, light sources 312are disposed on top surface 304 at locations other than those locationsupon which beverage cups rest when the beverage cups are placed inaccordance with visual indicia 306. For example, in some embodiments,light sources 312 are disposed in between the respective locations ofthe beverage cups when the beverage cups are placed in accordance withvisual indicia 306 (e.g., the plurality of light sources includes alight source positioned halfway between geometric centers of each pairof respective locations on which to position a beverage cup ofpredefined size). In this manner, the light is shone upwardly from theside of each beverage cup, and is thus referred to as “under side of cupillumination.” Such embodiments are advantageous because, by positioningthe light sources between the beverage cups when in use, the problem ofunsightly illumination of beer is mitigated.

In some embodiments, light sources 312 are arranged to shine lightpersistently and/or continuously. The terms “persistently” and/or“continuously” are used herein to indicate that light is shone towardthe inner region while the beer pong cup holder is in use. In somecircumstances, a beer pong cup holder is considered “in use” when aplayer is aiming at the beer pong cup holder and/or when the player isshooting at the beer pong cup holder. To that end, in some embodiments,light sources 312 are arranged to shine light persistently and/orcontinuously for a predefined amount of time (e.g., 10 seconds, 30seconds, 1 minute, 10 minutes or 1 hour). In some embodiment, lightsources 312 are arranged to shine light persistently and/or continuouslyuntil light source 312 are turned off (e.g., by a switch).

Although beer pong cup holder 300 is shown as a free-standing beer pongcup holder, in other embodiments, beer pong cup holder 300 ismechanically coupled to or incorporated into a beer pong table. Inaddition, beer pong cup holder 300 optionally includes any of thefeatures of the beer pong cup holders described with references to anyof the other figures, although such features may not be shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4A is a plan view of a beer pong cup holder 400 for containing andilluminating beverage cups, in accordance with some embodiments. Beerpong cup holder 400 illustrates another “under side of cup illumination”arrangement. As illustrated with reference to beer pong cup holder 400,in some embodiments, each of the respective locations on which toposition a beverage cup of predetermined size is surrounded by aplurality of light sources 404. For example, beer pong cup holder 400 isan example of a beer pong cup holder in which each of the respectivelocations is surrounded by six light sources 404 (e.g., beverage cuplocation 408-a is surrounded by light sources 404-a, 404-b, 404-c,404-d, 404-e, and 404-f; and beverage cup location 408-b is surroundedby light sources 404-g, 404-h, and 404-i, as well as others). Each ofthe light sources 404 surrounding a beverage cup location 408 isdisposed on a circle centered at a geometrical center of the beveragecup location 408, with a radius slightly greater than the minor radiusof the standard beverage cups, and are angularly separated from oneanother by a predefined inner angle (e.g., in the case of beer pong cupholder 400, 60 degrees).

FIG. 4B is a partial side view of beer pong cup holder 400, inaccordance with some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4B, in the case ofbeer pong cup holder 400, visual indicia 306 include relief 402 of topsurface 304. Although not shown, beer pong cup holder 400 alsooptionally includes a light source positioned under (e.g., directlyunder) each (or some) beverage cup locations.

Although beer pong cup holder 400 is shown as a free-standing beer pongcup holder, in other embodiments, beer pong cup holder 400 ismechanically coupled to or incorporated into a beer pong table. Inaddition, beer pong cup holder 400 optionally includes any of thefeatures of the beer pong cup holders described with references to anyof the other figures, although such features may not be shown in FIGS.4A-4B.

FIGS. 5-6 illustrate additional under side of cup illuminationarrangements of light sources coupled with a panel (e.g., disposed on atop surface of the panel), in accordance with a variety of embodiments.Beer pong cup holders 500 and 600 can also optionally be incorporatedinto a table and/or can include any of the features described withreference to any of the other figures.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a beer pong cup holder 500 for containing andilluminating beverage cups, in accordance with some embodiments. Beerpong cup holder 500 is analogous to beer pong cup holder 400 except thatthere are three light sources surrounding each beverage cup location(light sources 404-j, 404-k, and 404-1 surround beverage cup location508). Each of the light sources 404 surrounding beverage cup 508 isdisposed on a circle centered at a geometrical center of a beverage cuplocation, with a radius slightly greater than the minor radius of thebeverage cups, and are angularly separated from one another by apredefined inner angle (e.g., in the case of beer pong cup holder 500,120 degrees).

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a beer pong cup holder 600 for containing andilluminating beverage cups, in accordance with some embodiments. Beerpong cup holder 600 is analogous to beer pong cup holder 400 except thatthere are five light sources surrounding each beverage cup location(light sources 404-m, 404-n, 404-o, 404-p, and 404-q surround beveragecup 608-a). Also, several of the light sources 404 surrounding each ofthe beverage cup locations on beer pong cup holder 600 are shared by twobeverage cup locations. For example, light source 404-m is among aplurality of light sources that surrounds beverage cup location 608-a,but it is also among a different plurality (e.g., an overlappingplurality) of light sources 404 that surround beverage cup location608-c. Likewise, light source 404-n is among a plurality of lightsources that surrounds beverage cup location 608-a, but it is also amonga still different plurality (e.g., an overlapping plurality) of lightsources 404 that surround beverage cup location 608-b.

Although the current embodiments have generally been described withreference to a beer pong cup holder, the ideas described above areequally applicable to any sort of frame. For example, it is envisionedthat the principles described above could be used to illuminate beveragecups on any sort of table (e.g., a bar table). It is also envisionedthat the principles described above could be used to illuminate beveragecups on any sort of beverage cup holder (e.g., a holder that restaurantservers use to transport and serve beverages to a table). Therefore,stated more generally, the present disclosure is intended to supportclaims for an apparatus that includes a frame for containing objects,where the frame includes one or more segments that continuously, ordiscontinuously, collectively define an inner region of the apparatus.The apparatus also includes an illumination device disposed on or withinthe one or more segments and arranged to shine light at least toward theinner region of the apparatus and thus toward the objects. Further, inaccordance with a wide variety of embodiments, the apparatus canoptionally have or include any of the features of the beer pong cupholder described here.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modificationsand variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical applications, to therebyenable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention andvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another. For example, a first wall could be termed asecond wall, and, similarly, a second wall could be termed a first wall,without changing the meaning of the description, so long as alloccurrences of the “first wall” are renamed consistently and alloccurrences of the “second wall” are renamed consistently. The firstwall and the wall are both walls, but they are not the same wall.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularimplementations only and is not intended to be limiting of the claims.As used in the description of the implementations and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to includethe plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as usedherein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. It will be furtherunderstood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used inthis specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon”or “in response to determining” or “in accordance with a determination”or “in response to detecting,” that a stated condition precedent istrue, depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it isdetermined [that a stated condition precedent is true]” or “if [a statedcondition precedent is true]” or “when [a stated condition precedent istrue]” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or “upon adetermination that” or “in response to determining” or “in accordancewith a determination” or “upon detecting” or “in response to detecting”that the stated condition precedent is true, depending on the context.

What is claimed is:
 1. A beer pong cup holder, comprising: a frame forcontaining beverage cups, the frame including one or more segments,wherein the one or more segments, continuously or discontinuously,collectively define an inner region of the beer pong cup holder; and anillumination device disposed on or within the one or more segments andarranged to shine light at least toward the inner region of the beerpong cup holder.
 2. The beer pong cup holder of claim 1, wherein theillumination device is arranged to shine light persistently toward theinner region of the beer pong cup holder.
 3. The beer pong cup holder ofclaim 1, wherein the inner region is substantially triangular.
 4. Thebeer pong cup holder of claim 1, wherein the one or more segmentscomprise a plurality of straight segments.
 5. The beer pong cup holderof claim 1, wherein the one or more segments include an inner wall andan outer wall, and wherein the respective inner walls of the one or moresegments define the inner region of the beer pong cup holder and theillumination device is disposed between said inner wall and said outerwall of the one or more segments.
 6. The beer pong cup holder of claim5, wherein the illumination device comprises: an assembly arrangedbetween said inner surface and said outer surface; a light source; andcircuitry for providing power to said light source.
 7. The beer pong cupholder of claim 6, wherein the light source and the circuitry forproviding power to said light source are mounted with the assembly suchthat, when the beer pong cup holder is placed on a table for use, thelight source and the circuitry for providing power to said light sourceare elevated from the surface of the table.
 8. The beer pong cup holderof claim 6, wherein the light source is one of a cold cathode or a lightemitting diode (LED) strip.
 9. The beer pong cup holder of claim 6,wherein the light source is an ultraviolet light source and the light isultraviolet light.
 10. The beer pong cup holder of claim 5, wherein theinner wall and the outer wall are made from a material that issubstantially transparent to the light.
 11. The beer pong cup holder ofclaim 5, wherein the inner wall and the outer wall are coupled by a topwall.
 12. A beer pong cup holder, comprising: a panel having a topsurface that includes a plurality of visual indicia, each indicating arespective location on which to position a beverage cup of a predefinedsize, wherein each of the beverage cups has a rim; and a plurality oflight sources coupled with the panel and arranged such that, when saidbeverage cups are arranged on the surface in accordance with the visualindicia, the light sources of the plurality of light sources arepositioned between the beverage cups and persistently shine light upwardtoward the rims of the beverage cups.
 13. The beer pong cup holder ofclaim 12, wherein the plurality of light sources comprises ultravioletlight sources.
 14. The beer pong cup holder of claim 12, wherein thevisual indicia are embodied as relief in the surface of the panel. 15.The beer pong cup holder of claim 12, wherein the visual indicia areembodied as visual markings on the surface of the panel.
 16. The beerpong cup holder of claim 12, wherein the plurality of light sourcesincludes a light source positioned halfway between geometric centers ofeach pair of respective locations on which to position a beverage cup ofpredefined size.
 17. The beer pong cup holder of claim 12, wherein theplurality of visual indicia includes visual indicia corresponding to 10beverage cup locations.
 18. The beer pong cup holder of claim 17,wherein the 10 beverage cup locations are arranged in a triangularmanner.
 19. The beer pong cup holder of claim 18, wherein the 10beverage cup locations are arranged in a first row of 4 cups, a secondrow of 3 cups, a third row of 2 cups, and a fourth row of 1 cup.
 20. Thebeer pong cup holder of claim 12, wherein the panel is a playing surfaceof a beer pong table.